Ms. Segal was inspired to be a teacher because of her experiences with a fifth-grade reading teacher and an AP Literature teacher. She says they both instilled a love of learning in her, as well as an explorative wish to try new things. She also loves working with kids and wanted to make sure that her career would be one that could have her interacting with them on a daily basis.

“Her lessons are so engaging,” says Jones Valley Principal Becky Balentine, “the students cannot wait to get in her classes.” She says that Ms. Segal keeps the students engaged by using a variety of learning centers and small group activities that are very purpose driven, adding that “I wish I could have had her as a teacher.” Ms. Segal is always looking for ways to engage students in their reading, whether she has them taste-testing different genres from a menu or turning her classroom into a cozy coffee shop where students read books while sipping hot chocolate.

Fifth-grade student Jeremiah Dryer says, “I like that she is a really nice teacher and she knows how to make classes fun.”

When she isn’t teaching, Ms. Segal and her husband love to travel and participate in outdoor activities such as hiking. She considered a career as an archaeologist, and travelling helps to fulfill that desire to discover new things. She says, “Anything we can have some kind of adventure with, we like to do.”

When thinking about the future for her students, Ms. Segal says that she really wants them to be prepared for the future. At the same time, she tries not to stress out about it too much because she knows that her stress will rub off on them. Between students writing shout-outs to each other, Ms. Segal slipping them encouraging notes, and the relaxing atmosphere of her StarBooks classroom, it’s safe to say that stress isn’t a part of her students’ great success.

Teachers selected as an HCS Changemaker receive gifts from SchoolCraft.

In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the Huntsville City Board of Education will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. For more information contact: Shirley.Wellington@hsv-k12.org.